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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has faced an unforgiving summer. A series of scandals entangled his ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), his closest allies, and even his family, putting his position at risk. This turmoil coincided with rising living costs and growing dissatisfaction within the LDP, further weakening his leadership. His approval ratings plunged to record lows, just as the party leadership race loomed in September.
While some expected Kishida to fight for another term, it wasn’t entirely surprising when he announced he would not run for party president, meaning he will also step down as prime minister when the LDP selects a new leader in September. Despite his diplomatic successes—an ambitious budget to expand the military, stronger ties with the U.S., and a historic rapprochement with South Korea—he could not secure his position.
“The first step in showing that the LDP is ready to change is for me to step aside,” the 67-year-old calmly told reporters on Wednesday. Despite his words, his demeanor suggested business as usual.
A Tumultuous Tenure
Fumio Kishida, a seasoned politician, assumed office in 2021 after his predecessor, Yoshihide Suga, resigned following a year of low approval ratings amid one of Japan’s worst COVID-19 waves. Just a month into his term, Kishida led the LDP to a general election victory, securing a coalition government. Those who know him describe him as fair, intelligent, and a conservative politician, while others see him as a shrewd strategist.
Kishida’s mild-mannered approach masked a more unpredictable and stubborn side. He surprised many by dissolving his own faction within the party, leading to the disbandment of others—these factions were long-standing sources of patronage and funding within the LDP.
For months, critics argued that Kishida’s position was untenable, partly due to his indecisive handling of various controversies. He held on, even as dissent grew within the LDP, but the situation eventually became unsustainable.
“People are exhausted,” said Hiromi Murakami, a political science professor at Japan’s Temple University, weeks before Kishida’s decision to step down. “It’s not just the fundraising scandal—it’s been building up.”
The year began with the LDP mired in controversy. In December, four cabinet ministers, including key allies of Kishida, and several junior ministers resigned amid allegations that LDP leaders had embezzled millions of dollars in party funds. A public prosecutor’s investigation uncovered further details, revealing that 85 LDP members had failed to report their income correctly.
This was just the latest in a string of scandals during Kishida’s term. The previous year, he had dismissed his son, who served as his executive secretary, after it was revealed that he had misused his position to host a party at a prime ministerial residence. The LDP was also still reeling from its connections to the controversial Unification Church, which had been linked to the assassination of former PM Shinzo Abe.
As 2024 progressed, the fallout from these scandals persisted, and new ones emerged. In April, the LDP lost two seats in a by-election after party lawmakers resigned—one was accused of vote-buying, and the other was implicated in the fundraising probe. In July, the defense ministry was rocked by allegations of mishandling sensitive information, harassment, and fraud, leading to a wave of disciplinary actions.
By this time, the LDP’s approval ratings had plummeted to 19%, their lowest since 2000, according to a survey by the Asahi Shimbun.
A Struggle to Manage the Crisis
Kishida vowed to tackle the crisis “head on,” but his handling of it became a point of criticism. He made a rare appearance before the political ethics committee but appeared uncertain and hesitant to speak. In June, his coalition passed reforms in election funding, but these were met with public skepticism. “Nothing substantial came out of it, despite the time spent,” said Prof. Murakami. “It was too late; he should have acted earlier.”
Kishida also tried to appease voters with a temporary tax relief scheme to mitigate the impact of inflation, but many felt it was insufficient.
As he reflected on his tenure at the 1,000-day mark, Kishida acknowledged the challenges he faced: “It has been constantly tense… I’ve found myself grappling with many issues both at home and abroad.”
By June, there were rumblings about “post-Kishida” candidates, with discontented party colleagues fearing the prospect of entering the next general election with an unpopular leader. “They’re in panic mode,” said Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies and history at Temple University.
While corruption scandals are not new, this latest one came at a particularly difficult time. “The economic situation affected people’s mindset,” said Prof. Murakami. “People have struggled so much during the [COVID] crisis, barely able to pay their bills, and now they see politicians with large sums of money avoiding taxes.”
Diplomatic Successes Overshadowed
While Kishida’s domestic popularity suffered, he performed well on the international stage. He was Japan’s longest-serving foreign minister before becoming prime minister. As PM, he hosted the G7 summit, visited Ukraine, and improved relations with South Korea, a crucial ally against China and North Korea. His relations with Washington remain strong; earlier this year, he addressed Congress at President Biden’s invitation, receiving a standing ovation.
“Thank you,” he told his audience. “I never get such nice applause from the Japanese Diet [parliament].”
However, Japanese media criticized the visit, with one headline declaring, “Kishida shouldn’t use the summit as a tool for domestic politics.” If that was his intention, it failed. Kishida found himself overwhelmed by challenges on multiple fronts, and both his party and voters lost patience.
“People vote on pocketbook issues,” said Prof. Kingston. “It’s great that he’s making rounds with NATO, the EU, and the United States, but at the end of the day, people want to see more money in their wallets.”
Kishida acknowledged that the LDP needs a fresh start and must convince the Japanese people that it can change. While the opposition remains too weak and divided to pose a significant threat, mistrust within the ruling party runs deep. Whether a new leader can unite the LDP and restore its image remains to be seen in September.
Getty Images – Mr Kishida bows on the finish of Wednesday’s press convention
Getty Images – Rising prices drove public dissatisfaction with Mr Kishida
